Construction began this week for two of the 11 projects awarded to the Town of Greece, New York, through the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. The projects will improve stormwater management. Read the full story by WROC-TV – Rochester, NY.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210507-groundbreak
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill Thursday allowing for nearly $38 million in spending on park expansion and improvement projects around Michigan. Read the full story by WJRT-TV – Flint, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210507-expansion
A lighthouse restoration project kicked off on Plum Island in northern Door County, Wisconsin. The front range light will receive new paint and foundation repairs, and the watch and lantern rooms of the 65-foot-tall rear range light will get a makeover. Read the full story by the Door County Pulse.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210507-plum
A 7-mile peninsula juts out into Lake Erie from the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, forming a magnificent natural harbor called Presque Isle Bay. Today, two active lighthouses protect the ships plying Lake Erie. The North Pierhead Lighthouse is one of them. Read the full story by the Erie Times-News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210507-northpier
This year’s Peninsula State Park visitors can experience the park’s face lift with new and upgraded amenities, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday. Read the full story by the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210507-peninsula
The U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation announced that eight U.S. ports in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System received the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award registering increases in international cargo tonnage shipped through their ports during the 2020 navigation season. Read the full story by the Watertown Daily Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210507-port
The National Park Service is inviting public input on a study to determine the feasibility of designating the Finger Lakes region of New York as a national heritage area. Read the full story by The Daily News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210507-parks
Michigan is number eight in a national ranking by the State Farm insurance company of where drivers are most likely to collide with an animal.
The post Commentary: Mourning roadkill first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/07/commentary-mourning-roadkill/
Over the last few weeks, the Biden Administration and leaders in the U.S. House and Senate have put forward proposals to fix the nation’s inadequate drinking water and sewage treatment infrastructure through new federal investment.
New investment is sorely needed. The Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin face more than $188 billion in water infrastructure repairs and upgrades over 20 years to meet clean water objectives and to protect the health of local communities, according to the U.S. EPA.
Further, between 6 million and 10 million homes continue to receive their drinking water through lead service lines, posing a serious risk to their health. Last month, in a scathing assessment of the nation’s infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers issued its national scorecard, granting a “C-” for drinking water infrastructure, “D” for stormwater infrastructure, and “D+” for wastewater infrastructure.
The state is dire. It is time to act. A top priority for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is to boost federal investment in our nation’s water infrastructure.
We’ve looked at the House, Senate, and Biden Administration proposals to see how they stack up against one another. The U.S. Senate passed legislation last week, and over the next few months lawmakers will negotiate what a final package will look like. As is to be expected, the proposals differ in scope, ambition, and timeframe. The good news: All of the them boost federal investment to start to get at the immense backlog of work. The question is: How far is the nation willing to go to make water safer and more affordable?
Bigger Equals Better for People, Health, Communities
It’s important to not mince words: More funding will be better. More funding will mean that we will be able to tackle the problems more quickly. That means reducing sewage contamination that closes beaches. That means replacing lead service lines that threaten the health of people, especially children. That means reducing skyrocketing water bills that are pushing more and more people to the brink, unable to afford their water—one-in-three Americans, to be exact. There is no way around the fact that getting more money out the door more quickly will help accelerate addressing the country’s infrastructure crisis and thereby protect our health and our communities.
These Investments are Critical for the most Vulnerable Communities
The Environmental Protection Agency has found that pollution disproportionately impacts low-income, Indigenous, and communities of color. The water infrastructure crisis is no different, from lead contamination to sky-rocketing water utility bills. The country has the opportunity to right these wrongs. In this regard, the Biden and House plans offer both more funding as well as targeted programs to help vulnerable communities.
Comparing the House, Senate and Biden Plans
So how do the packages compare? When looking at the total financial investment in three major areas – drinking water infrastructure, wastewater treatment infrastructure, and lead-line replacement – the Biden Administration package comes out ahead.
(Note: Senate Republicans have put forward an infrastructure roadmap that proposes a $35 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure over 5 years through “renewed federal policies and programs.” Due to the lack of details we cannot, at this time, provide a comparison of this proposal.)
The catch is that the Biden plan assumes funding over eight years, while the House and Senate plans are 5-year investments. If we look at annual investments, the House plan shows greater ambition:
Each of these proposals provides a much-needed boost over current funding levels, although some are, obviously, larger in scope. Here are some quick-takeaways from each plan.
Senate plan is the most conservative plan, a first step focusing on nuts-and-bolts upgrades to water infrastructure. The Senate Environment and Public Works committee quickly picked up where they left off in the last Congressional session, introducing an expanded and bi-partisan comprehensive water infrastructure package, the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act. The bill, which passed the Senate last week, would invest more than $35 billion in water resource development projects of which more than 40 percent can be directly used to benefit small, disadvantaged, rural, and tribal communities through additional subsidization from the State Revolving Loan Funds or direct grant programs. Notably absent is any kind of targeted lead-line replacement program.
The Biden plan aims big—with a priority on lead-line replacement. The American Jobs Plan released earlier this month by the Biden Administration would invest $111 billion over 8-years in water infrastructure. Notably, the plan seeks to replace 100% of lead pipes and service lines nationwide, investing $45 billion through the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act grants. That’s the most funding dedicated to lead-line replacement in any of the three plans. And it’s needed. The plan also seeks to tackle new contaminants and supporting clean water infrastructure across rural communities, investing $10 billion to monitor and remediate toxic PFAS in drinking water and to invest in rural small water systems and household well and wastewater systems.
The House plan offers the biggest federal investment out of the gate. The House of Representatives has pieced together two major water infrastructure proposals focusing on drinking water and wastewater infrastructure investments, respectively. The Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s (LIFT) America Act and Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021 offer more than $78 billion in drinking water and wastewater water infrastructure investments – the most of any of the plans. The investment of $22.5 billion of lead-line replacement is half of the Biden Administration’s plan, but will still get $4.5 billion out per year for the first five years – far above the Senate’s $710 million.
The plan tackles toxic PFAS contamination (although lower than Biden plan) as well as offers $2.5 billion in wastewater infrastructure assistance to address the backlog of critical needs for Indian Tribes.
Coalition Urges Elected Officials to Go Big
The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is urging elected officials to be bold and to fund a water infrastructure plan that funds solutions to the immense challenge at hand. The decades-long disinvestment in water infrastructure by the federal government needs to be reversed. The Coalition and its allies are urging federal elected officials to invest at least $30 billion this fiscal year in the nation’s water infrastructure to protect the drinking water and health of local communities, as well as the health of iconic waters like the Great Lakes. These problems will not fix themselves. Quite the opposite: Delay will only make the problems worse and more expensive to solve. Too many cities and towns are living with unsafe water. And we need to do everything we can to ensure that every resident of this country has access to clean, safe, and affordable water. In the coming months, as the U.S. Congress and Biden Administration discuss how to address the nation’s water infrastructure crisis, we encourage elected officials to think big and act accordingly.
The post Biden, House, Senate Infrastructure Packages – Water Investments Explained appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.
Healing Our Waters Coalition
https://healthylakes.org/biden-house-senate-infrastructure-packages-water-investments-explained/
During the month of May 2021, CPI International, a leader in lab supply equipment and materials, will be donating a portion of sales directly to Freshwater Future and the Flint Community Lab to help ensure the healthy future of our waters in the Great Lakes region. CPI International is committed to making a so.cial impact that promises clean water. CPI International is a worldwide supplier of certified reference material, laboratory consumables, small equipment, and test kits to scientific professionals working in spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and microbiology. To learn more about CPI International, visit their website www.cpinternational.com
Blog – Freshwater Future
https://freshwaterfuture.org/marketing/public-relations/cpi-international-generously-donates-a-portion-of-sales-to-freshwater-future/
Every year, 22 million pounds of plastic end up in the Great Lakes. This plastic breaks down and slips through water treatment systems, entering our drinking water and the food we eat. Read and listen to the full story by Michigan Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-plastic
Native American tribes say the risk of an oil spill from the Line 5 oil pipeline poses a “grave threat” to their right to hunt, fish and gather in northern Michigan and the Great Lakes. Tribal nations in Michigan assert that the Straits of Mackinac remain critically important for tribal fishers in the region, connected with cultural and spiritual practices and as a way to pass down teachings through generations. Read the full story by Canada’s National Observer.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-tribes-line5
A bipartisan bill to enhance wildlife protection was introduced in Congress this week. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide states, territories and tribes with $1.4 billion annually to protect important species and their associated habitats, and directs the money towards Wildlife Action Plans used by conservation agencies. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-conservation-bill
Local elected officials and a Lake Erie environmental group raised the alarm Wednesday about a burst in new applications to expand or establish new intensive livestock operations on farms in the western Lake Erie watershed. Manure from these operations flows into tributaries and feed harmful algal bloom on Lake Erie. Read the full story by Toledo Blade.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-cafo-concerns
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stopped in Toledo, Ohio, on Wednesday, to highlight Lake Erie as a tourism destination on Ohio Tourism Day. Governor DeWine touted his H2Ohio initiative to address serious water issues in Ohio, including harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie caused by phosphorus runoff from farm fertilizer. Read the full story by TV – WTOL – Toledo, Ohio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-dewine
The Lake Express Ferry will launch its 2021 travel season on Friday, May 7 with four daily crossings on Lake Michigan between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Muskegon, Michigan. Officials say the four-engine powered ship provides the most daily crossings of Lake Michigan and the fastest service with each trip taking only two-and-a-half hours. Read the full story by TV – WDJT – Milwauke, WI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-milwaukee-ferry
Heading into the summer season, water levels on Lake Erie are about 17 inches lower than they were last year, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Lower levels will help lessen erosion and flooding issues along the lakeshore – especially near the western basin where the lake is much more shallow. Read the full story by TV – WOIO – Cleveland, Ohio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-erosion
Community organizations and philanthropic foundations in Southeast Michigan are working on a new plan to create a land and water trail along the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and Detroit River. Read the full story by Metromode.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-bike-path
The Presque Isle Lighthouse near Erie, Pennsylvania is considered one of the area’s most treasured historic sites, watching over the water near Beach 9 since the 1870s. Read the full story by Erie News Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210506-presque-isle-pa
This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.
By Hannah Brock, Great Lakes Echo
A type of algae that a recent study found collects microfibers brings up questions about microplastic pollution impacts and how it could affect human health.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/algae-vacuum-microplastics-greater-health-threat/
Watershed cleanups are popular ways of dealing with local plastic pollution, but once large plastic trash disintegrates into microplastics, they're nearly impossible to pick up.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/plastic-debris-great-lakes-drinking-water-food/
Volunteers contributed almost 100 edits towards this challenge since it was launched last week. What's really neat is that over three quarters of those edits are new points! Keep up the good work!
Wisconsin
http://www.usgs.gov/news/mapping-challenge-update-050621-city-town-halls-wi
Reinstatement of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program could provide significant funding for many habitat projects this year, the department said.
The post Michigan offers $1 million to improve wildlife habitat first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/06/michigan-offers-1-million-to-improve-wildlife-habitat/
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide states, territories and tribes with $1.4 billion annually to protect important species and their associated habitats.
The post Congress considers once-in-a-generation bill for conservation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/06/congress-considers-once-in-a-generation-bill-for-conservation/
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide states, territories and tribes with $1.4 billion annually to protect important species and their associated habitats.
The post Congress considers once-in-a-generation bill for conservation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/06/congress-considers-once-in-a-generation-bill-for-conservation/
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Sprawling wind farms located off the coast. Hydropower transmission lines that cut through some of America’s most beloved forests and rivers. Solar megaprojects of unprecedented size.
As President Joe Biden’s administration plans to fight climate change by weaning the nation off fossil fuels, these large-scale renewable energy projects are the source of conflict within a seemingly unlikely group: environmentalists.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/ap-clean-megaprojects-divide-environmentalists/
The capture of a 6-foot-10-inch, 240-pound female sturgeon in the Detroit River last week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has renewed hope among fisheries biologists that sturgeon populations are on their way to recovery and restoration. Read the full story by WTTW-TV – Chicago, IL.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210505-sturgeon
U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green, OH) is proposing a bill that would redefine “waters in the United States” to exclude smaller bodies of water such as smaller streams, wetlands, and groundwater. However, these smaller bodies of water eventually flow into and can potentially endanger the lakes and rivers we normally think of when it comes to water protection, and should reamain included in those protections. Read the full story by The Toledo Blade.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210505-wetlands
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced a virtual meeting for the public to learn about the status of Lake Erie and Upper Niagara River fisheries. Read the full story by The Daily News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210505-webinar
Concerns about COVID-19 have pushed back the start of the 2021 season for the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry, which operates between Manitoulin Island and Bruce Peninsula, Ontario, in the upper end of Lake Huron. Read the full story by the Sudbury News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210505-ferry
A group of Michigan fishermen have caught a massive muskellunge in West Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan. Read the full story by WPBN-TV – Traverse City, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210505-muskie
Piping plovers have returned to Lake Michigan’s shoreline and are in need of nest guardians at Silver Lake State Park in Michigan. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210505-plover
A northern Wisconsin lakefront area struggles with the aftereffects of PFAS contamination by a local industrial facility. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210505-pfas
A recent study found that cladophora algae adsorbs microfibers, meaning that the plastic attaches to living algae cell walls. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210505-algae
To address contaminants of emerging concern that pose threats to Great Lakes ecosystems and public health in Wisconsin, Sea Grant created an emerging contaminants scientist position. After a nationwide search, Gavin Dehnert was hired, and he begins work on May 3.
Emerging contaminants include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and pesticides. Although many of these compounds are detected at low levels in surface waters, they may have adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
“Wisconsin Sea Grant has long funded researchers who strive to increase knowledge about contaminants affecting Great Lakes ecosystems,” said David Hart, Wisconsin Sea Grant assistant director for extension. “The National Sea Grant Office has identified contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments as needing increased investment. Gavin brings a wealth of experience that will help us build research partnerships addressing emerging contaminants and bridge research with outreach and education efforts.”
Gavin Dehnert. Submitted photo
If Dehnert’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he has a history with Wisconsin Sea Grant. Dehnert recently completed a Wisconsin Water Resources Science-Policy Postdoctoral Fellowship, where he worked with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to develop groundwater standards for 22 drinking water contaminants, including 16 forms of PFAS. He also helped create a hazard index risk assessment, which offers guidance when mixtures of PFAS are found in water.
Additionally, Dehnert gained outreach experience through his fellowship. The PFAS drinking water standards were released through the governor’s office last year. “That was an experience like none other,” Dehnert said. “Giving a press conference – I felt like a TV star. I would definitely not have done something like that if I hadn’t been in the fellowship.”
His emerging contaminants position will put all these skills to use through the lens of actionable science – sound science guided by strong relationships with stakeholders, coupled with effective outreach and communication. Dehnert met many of those stakeholders during his fellowship.
“That network is one of the best things the fellowship gave me,” he said. “I’m also excited to continue both research and outreach. There’s no point in doing the research if you’re not able to share it or help move forward with actionable science. I’m excited to learn more about the different emerging contaminants that are coming to light and use science to further inform how we make decisions.”
Dehnert has undergraduate degrees in marine science and biology from the University of Miami, and a Ph.D. in integrative biology with a focus on toxicology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied the effects of herbicide 2,4-D exposure on the development and behavior of fish at different life stages.
Connect with Dehnert via email at dehnert2@aqua.wisc.edu or (608) 263-5348.
The post Sea Grant hires new emerging contaminants staff scientist first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.
News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant
News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant
https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/sea-grant-hires-new-emerging-contaminants-staff-scientist/
A type of algae that a recent study found collects microfibers brings up questions about microplastic pollution impacts and how it could affect human health.
The post Algae may vacuum microplastics, but also indicates greater health threat first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/05/algae-may-vacuum-microplastics-but-also-indicates-greater-health-threat/
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (AP) — The company whose underwater power cables were damaged by an anchor strike in Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac three years ago said Monday it was beginning to install replacements.
A ship anchor in April 2018 struck three of American Transmission Co.’s six cables, which moved electricity between the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/ap-transmission-company-underwater-cables-damaged-anchor/
By John McCracken / Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
This story was originally published by The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting. The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting is a nonprofit, online newsroom offering investigative and enterprise coverage of agribusiness, Big Ag and related issues through data analysis, visualizations, in-depth reports and interactive web tools.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/pfas-contamination-residents-wisconsin-struggle-aftereffects/
Despite Ontario’s stay-at-home order barring gatherings of more than just your household, thousands of sun-seeking city dwellers flocked to Lake Erie communities. In Bayham, officers ticketed 31 vehicles parked illegally outside the entrance to Port Burwell Provincial Park. Read the full story by The London Free Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-ontario-beach-parking
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-pollution-clean-up
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-beach-drones
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-preservation-fundraising
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-aoc-epa
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-climate-trees
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-national-parks
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-water-quality-erie
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210504-pollution-plastic
Billings Park in Superior on the St. Louis River Estuary. Image credit: Marie Zhuikov, Wisconsin Sea Grant
The April River Talk featured two speakers who described programs that are designed to bring tourists to the St. Louis River estuary. First up was Nikky Farmakes, director of marketing and social media for the Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce and Travel Superior. She explained that Travel Superior is the visitor center arm of the chamber of commerce.
Nikky Farmakes, Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce and Travel Superior. Submitted photo
“We are the primary tourism entity in Douglas County,” Farmakes said. “We also partner with our neighboring counties to promote northwestern Wisconsin and we work with Travel Wisconsin, the state tourism agency, to advocate for the tourism industry in Douglas County.”
Travel Superior’s visitor center is housed in the Richard I Bong Veteran’s Historical Center, which is right off Highway 53 in Superior. Farmakes explained that in 2016, Travel Superior evaluated their marketing strategy and shifted focus to outdoor recreation because, “We realized our greatest strength was there, especially in activities connected to the St. Louis River and the estuary. Plus, the infrastructure and the culture around Superior and Douglas County supported it.”
Drivers of river tourism during summer include activities such as canoeing, kayaking and boating. “The Superior Municipal Forest with Pokegama Bay and all the other areas surrounding it offers extremely beautiful urban views,” Farmakes said. “It’s really hard to believe when you’re out on the water that you are within city limits.”
Fishing is also popular. Farmkes said that walleye and muskie are “huge for tourism.” The annual Dragon Boat Festival is a big draw as are swimming, standup paddle boarding, birdwatching, ship watching, hiking and biking.
Winter river activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, ice fishing, and the annual Lake Superior Ice Festival. For those who prefer motorized sports, over 300 miles of all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile trails cross the county.
“The Superior Municipal Forest has some of the most beautiful snowmobile trails in the state,” Farmakes said. “The loop trail that goes along the St. Louis River has some of the most beautiful vistas that you will ever see in the winter, and you cannot get there during summer. So, if you can get out on a snowmobile trail, consider going on the loop trail. The views are worth it.”
Travel Superior’s 2021 marketing campaign hinges on the slogan: “Remember fun.” Framakes explained, “Everyone has been cooped up inside with covid for the last year and a half, so why not get out and enjoy all the beauty that surrounds us?” The campaign features different taglines for each season. Fall’s focus will be water. “We are going for a ‘watercolor’ campaign because a lot of our most beautiful spaces to view fall color come with water. We are a very water-centric area, so it works.”
Farmakes worked with the Discover Wisconsin television show to produce a recent video about motorized trails in Northwestern Wisconsin and the Lake Superior Ice Festival.
Farmakes summed up how the pandemic affected her industry and why she loves doing her job. “Tourism is one of our local economy’s top industries. Covid did affect us in 2020 just like it affected every other industry. We really won’t know the real impact until the new numbers come out in May, but the 2019 data continued the upward trend we had been seeing. Tourism supported over 1,300 jobs in Douglas County alone and it brought in over $150 million in business sales. The numbers we do have indicate we stayed strong throughout the pandemic, especially because we are an outdoor recreation destination and we were uniquely situated to weather that storm.
“There’s a lot to do here, especially around the river. It makes my job fun. It makes it easy. I’m always excited to showcase all the wonderful things you can see and do here.”
The evening’s second speaker was Kris Eilers, executive director of the St. Louis River Alliance. The Alliance manages the newly designated St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail. The trail was designed under the direction of the city of Duluth and over 50 partners. The application was submitted by the National Park Service in 2017 and was signed by the secretary of the Interior in 2020. Unlike a hiking trail, the water trail is not linear but a series of loops for different skill levels and various watercraft. “It provides access to wild spaces in an urban area,” Eilers said.
Readers can access a video about the water trail here.
Eilers hopes that it will raise awareness about the river and help create stewards. The Alliance has created a water trail map for navigation and planning, which is available for free. Copies can be found outside their office in the DeWitt-Seitz Building in Duluth. Other places are listed here.
Kris Eilers, St. Louis River Alliance. Submitted photo
“The St. Louis River Estuary is the largest coastal wetland ecosystem on Lake Superior and the most significant source of biologic productivity for the western half of the lake,” Eilers said. “Getting families out on the water is important. With the pandemic, people started returning to the outdoors because it was one thing that we could do. I think it really helped restore our sanity. At the Alliance, we want to connect people back to their source of life: the water.”
A YouTube video of this River Talk is available for watching here.
One River Talk remains for this season. On May 12, Tom Howes with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will talk on the topic of Wisconsin Point. This will be an in-person field trip, weather permitting.
The post Discovering the magic of the St. Louis River Estuary first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.
Blog – Wisconsin Sea Grant
https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/discovering-the-magic-of-the-st-louis-river-estuary/
NCEI News Feed
http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/noaa-delivers-new-us-climate-normals
Microplastics act like a chemical sponge, soaking up contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/chemical-impact-microplastic-pollution/
